Propeller mounting



N0 17, 1931- R. T. svENDsEN ETAL PROPELLER MOUNTING Filed Ders.v 21. 1929 2 SheetsShee l BFM@ www Arroqusys NOV- 17, 1931- R. T. svENDsEN ET AL 1,832,061

PROPELLER IvOU'lINGrl Filed Deo. 21, 1929 -2 sheetssheet 2 1 4 I'NVsN-ron ROBERT TI vsNnsEN DAV/D 6. CHANDLER ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 1 7, 1931 UNITED STATES iaa'nsrrr OFFICE PROPELLER nonn'rnm Application ed December 21, 1929. Serial' No. 415,854..

This invent-ion `relates to improvements in propeller mountings, and an object rof vthe invention is to provide means for automatically raising the propeller to a higher eievafl, tion in the water to penn-it it to pass over an obstruction.

A furthe-r object is to provide in connection with a propeller in a plane transversely of the boat, a strut I having one end movably connected with the `bottom 'ofv the boat and its opposite end Ioperatively connected 'withthe propeller mounting and located .in such a manner'that when the strut strikes an obstruction inthe water, it will impart an Ithrn'strto the propeller monntingand 'automatically lift 'the propeller toa higher elevation in the, water to permit it to clear the obstruction.

A further object is 'to provide infcombinw tion with a boat having a propeller mounted rearwardly thereof .and adapted to Aswing in a pla-ne transversely' of the, boat to `adjust the position of the .propeller `in the water, a member located adjacent to the propeller and Vextending downwardly into the water so as to prevent the propeller '.fromcircuilating the water in 'a direction crosswise of the boat7 thereby preventingthe yboat `.trom turning as a result of the. paddling effect of the pro ller when .near-the surface of the'. water.

A further object is to provide fa propeller support adapted for swinging movement whereby the propeller' may adjusted to different elevationsrin the Water, andthesupport having a strut connected therewith and adapted to strike an 'obstruction inthe. water and lift the propeller 4so 'as to clear such obstruction, and a rudder `or steering .member operatively connected with the propeller support land 'said strut and 'movable therewith.

Other lobjects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanylng drawings land will be. pointed out in the annexed claims.

ln the accompanymg drawings, ythere Ahas been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of 'the inventionybut it is to be understood vthat the iinyention is ,5 `not confined to the exact features shown as mounting 'adapted to 'swing "versely of the various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure-1 is a view illustrating the rear portion of la boat having a propeller supported thereon and showing the invention 4applied thereto;`

Figure '2 is a rear. end view of Figure .1 show-ing the propeller in Aan operative position; Y t0 Fig-ure 3 ,is a view .showing the movable connection v.between one endso the :strut and the bottom of the. boat i;

`ligure 4 is a plan view of `Fi ure .21;` y ,Figure 5 isla view similar to: gure 21am 65 showing the propeller mounting located in the boa-t yso `that the propeller when fin. operative position willfbe substantiall alined with fthe longitudinal center line of fliet.;

Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5 showingV the driving connection between fthe :pr-0- peller mounting and the engine;

VFigure A7 is a side elevation .of a modified construction wherein the Astrut is not connected directly with the propeller mounting; and

Figure 8` isfa lrear view of Figure 7.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there fis illustrated in Figures 1 anvd 2', the rear end portion of va conventional type of boat including a rear Wall V2, `bottom 3, and rfloor 4:,v upon which the usual engine 5 is shown mounted. `A tra-nsmission case 6 'is'shown operativelyconnect- Eed with the engine land includes the usual' mechanism, not shown, for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the propeller.

The propeller, as show-n, comprises a revoluble support `7 mounted yin a suitable 'bearing 8 Vwhi'c'h'rnay'be connected with `the transmission case BL, and is preferably vsupported the rear wall 2 of the boat, as shown in Figure l. A suitable housing 9 is provided at -one end of the revolubie vsup-v port 7 and has a tubular memb'er '10 secured thereto adapted to swing in a plane 'transboat. Afcover `11 is secured to the housing I9 whereby access maybewhsd to the interior of the housing. Siuitalile` 10 A'so mounted upon the rear end portion 20 of propeller 16 to a higher elevation in the water to permit it to pass over an obstruction; In the form shown in Figures 1 and 2,

the revoluble support 7 is shown alined with the transmission case 6 and engine 5, the' latter two being shown located substantially in the center of the boat. The propeller, however, is offset to one side as shown in Figure 2, so that an upward thrust eX- erted against the lower housing 17 provided "at the lower end of the tubular member 10, will cause the mounting to swingupwardly inthe direction indicated by the arrow 'in Figure 2, or to the dotted line position shown in this figure.

A strut 18 has one end movably connected with the bottom of the boat by such means as av plate 19 having a pair of spaced ears 21 between which the upper end of the strut 18 is supported. A suitable pin 22 passes through apertures provided in the ears 21 and an aperture provided in the end of the 'strut 18, so as to pivotally connect the strut .to the plate 19. The plate 19, which may be made circular as shownA in Figure 3, is rotatably connected witha fixed plate 23 suitably secured to the bottom wall 3 of the boat, by such means as bolts 24. The plate 19 is connected with the stationary plate 23 means of a pivot pin 25.

The opposite or rear end portion 20 of the strut 18 is preferably shaped.as shown, and has an aperture 26 therein adapted to loosely receive a rearwardl f extending pin '27 mounted in the housing 17. It will thus l `be seen that the connection between the lower end of the strut 18 and the housing 17, and also the universal connection between vthe opposite end vof the strut and the bottom of the boat, permit the support '10'-17 to swing without interference. The connection between the upper end of the strut and the bottom of the boat is also constructed in such a manner that the strut cannot rotate or tilt on a longitudinal axis.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means provided for guiding and steer- ,ing the boat. e Referring to Figures 1 and 2,

it will be noted that a rudder 28 isvpivotally the strut 18 by suitable pivot pins 30. A uthe propeller is vthe tubular member mounting extends directly downwardly from the housing 9. In

arm 40 may be connected with the upper por'- tion of the rudder and preferably extends forwardly as shown. A connection 50 connects the arm 40 with a suitable operator 60, shown in Figure 2. Means, not shown, are provided within the boat for actuating the operator 60 to control turning movement of the boat. By thus supporting the rudder upon the strut, the rudder will be moved upwardly together with the housing.

Means is preferably provided for limiting the travel of the propeller mounting and may consist of ilange 29, preferably integrally formed with the revolubie support 7 and having a slot 31 therein, which is here shown traversed by a bolt or stud 32 secured to the ear wall of the boat. The length of the slot 31 is such that wneii the propeller is in the operative position shown in full lines in F igure 1, the stud 32 will be engaged with one end of the slot and, conversely, when the propeller is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, the stud will be engaged with the opposite end of the slot 31.

The angular position of the tubular meinber 10, when in normal operative position, permits Athe propeller mounting to be easily moved upwardly when the'strut engages an obstruction in the water and exerts an upward thrust thereagainst.

In Figure 1, the axis of the propeller is showndisposed at a slight angle with respect to the longitudinal center line of the boat for the purpose of compensating'for the olfsettingV of the rpropeller from the longitudinal center line of the boat.

A plate 33 is secured to the bottom of the boat and extends downwardly and rearwardlytherefrom, as shown in Figure 1, to niiii- 'imize the oaddlin effect of the roueller when partially lifted out of the water. By the use of this plate, the paddling effect of substantially eliminated, so

that the boat will continue forwardly in substantially a straight line, regardless of the position of the propeller with respect to the bottom of the boat.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a modified constructiony wherein the rcvoluble support 7 of the propeller mounting is located to one side of the boat so as to locate the propeller substantially in the longitudinal center line ot' the boat. YV ien the propeller mounting is thus supported, asuitable driving connection such, for example, as a'cliain drive 34h may be provided between the drive shaft 1% .of the mounting and the transmission 6.

' Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another modification wherein the propeller mounting is supporte@` in the center of the boat in alinenient-with the-engine and transmission, and 35 of the propeller lthe form hei'e shown, a housing 36- is provided at the lower end of fthe tubular member 35, upon which' the ipro'- peller 37 is supported `in :a suitable men-ner. The housing 36 has a {in SSwhioh preferably is 'arranged at 1an fangle 'with irespeet to the axis for' the tubular supporting member 35,

as shown in Figure 8, so that Vwhen the member :35 is swung to the Ydotted line position .shown in Figure `8,1the fin 38 will 'extend directly downwardly .from the housing 36 and thus provide vafg'uard for the propeller blades and prevent .them from striking an obstruction over which the boat may be passing. p The means provided tor automatically vlitting the propeller shownainFigures` f7 land 8, 'to a :higher elevation `in the water when the boat passes over an obstructiomconsistsof fa strut 39 having its upper fend connected to the Aboat in ta manner similar to thatshown and described with referenceV to Figure 1.

The `opposite end of the strut has a fork 41 to which a depending leg 42 ota bell crank 43 is p-ivotally connected. The other leg 44 of the bell crank 43 is shown pivotally connected to the rear lower left hand corner of the boat, as indicated at 45 in Figure 8. A slot 46 is provided in the intermediate portion of the bell crank 43 adapted to receive a stud 47 secured to the lower end of an arm 48 which has its other end suitably secured to the revoluble support 7. In the form shown in Figures 7 and 8, when an obstruction strikes the strut 39, an upward force will be exerted against the lower leg 42 of the bell crank 43, thereby causing the bell crank to swing upwardly, which, in turn, will cause the arm 48 to be swung upwardly, resulting in the tubular member 35 and propeller 37 being moved upwardly to the dotted line position indicated in Figure 8. In this form of construction, it will be noted that the strut is not connected directly to the lower end of the propeller mounting for movement 'therewith, but to the arm 48 provided at the upper end of the mounting.

By the use of the strut 18 in connection with a propeller mounting such as shown in Figures l and '2, it will readily be seen that the strut will positively prevent the propeller 16 from striking an obstruction in the water for the reason that when the strut strikes the obstruction, the propeller will immediately be moved upwardly to a safe position and will pass over the obstruction. It will also be seen that the upward force exerted against the propeller mounting to lift itin the water,

is applied directly to the outer end of the mounting as a result ofthe 'swinging end of the strut being connected directly thereto.

le claim as our invention:

l. The combination with a propeller support mounted to swing in a plane transversely of the boat, of means connected with said support and adapted to engage an obstruction in the water located in the path of the propeller, whereby said means may lift the 3. The combination with 4a propeller support mounted `to swing in a plane transversely of the boat, fof means connected withsaid support and with the boat and "mounted to swing in a plane lengthwiseof the boat, 7Said means being positioned below and yahead of the propeller 4so as to strike an 4obstruction which maybe located in the path of the propeller, whereby said means vrmay lift the pro- 4"peller and Vits support Vover said obstruction.

4. Thecombination with a propeller support mounted to swing in Va `plane transversely ofthe boat, `of means movably connected with the llower portion ofsaid propeller support and with the -bottomfofthe boat and positioned to engage an obstruction located in the path 'of the propeller, whereby said means may lift the propeller and its support over said obstruction.

5. The combination with `a propeller sup- Vport imounted to swing in a plane transverse -ly of `the boat, of a strut having one end ynuova-bly connected with the lower portion fof said support and its opposite-end mov- `ably connected with-the bottom of the boat,

said strut being positioned -to engage an obstruction llocated in the path of 4the propeller,

whereby said strut may lift the propeller and its support over said obstruction.

y6. The `combination with a propeller `mounting including 'a revoluble support having a -member dependingtherefrom and -providedwith a propeller, said revoluble fsu-pport permitting swinging movement .of said .mem-ber and `propeller in a plane transverse- -ly oyf the boat, of a strut having one end movably yconnected with the lower ,portion ot said member and its other end connected with the boatahe'ad of the propeller and adapted for universal movement, said strut being adapted-to swing in a plane lengthwise of the boat so that pressure 'brought `to bear thereagainst by anobstruction in the water will cause said strut to lift the propeller to a higher eleva- .'tion and prevent .it .from striking said obstruction.

7. Thecombination with a propeller support mounted to swing in a plane transversely of the boat, of means connected with said .support Kand adapted to engage an obstrucfr tioninthe water locatedV in the path of the propeller, whereby said means may lift the propeller 4and its support over said obstruction, and means for minimizing the paddling v`eilect of the propeller when the latter is -ad- Mlla' justed toa position near the surface of the water.

8. The combination with a propeller support mounted for swinging movement, of a strut having one end connected with the lo wer portion of said support and its opposite er portion of said support and its opposite end extending forwardly and upwardly and connected with the bottom of the boat whereby said strut may strike an obstruction in the water and lift the propeller and its support to a higher elevation to clear said obstruction, andv a plate located adjacent to said support adapted to minimize the paddling effectof the propeller when the latter is adjusted to a position near the surface of the water.

10. The combination with a propeller support mounted to swing in a plane transversely of the boat, of a strut having a movable connection with the lower portion of said support and with the bottom of the boat and positioned to engage an obstruction located in the path of the propeller, whereby said strut may lift the propeller and its support over said obstruction.

11. The combination with a propeller support mounted to swing in a plane transversely of the boat, of a strut'having one end movably connected with the lower portion of said propeller support and its opposite end movably connected with the bottom of the boat and positioned to engage an obstruction located in the path of the propeller, whereby said strut may lift the propeller and its support over said obstruction, and a boatguiding means supported on said strut.

l2. The combination with a propeller mounting including a revoluble support mounted to swing in a plane transversely of the boat and having a propeller operatively Vmounted thereon whereby said propeller may rudder may be retained in substantially a vertical position regardless of the position of the propeller in the water.

13. The combination with a propeller suport mounted to swing in a plane transversey of the boat, of a rudder movably connected with said support and adapted to swing therewith, and means independent of the support for actuating said rudder.

14. The combination with a propeller support mounted to swing in a plane transversely of the boat, of a rudder mounted upon said support and movable therewith, and means for retaining said rudder in substantially a vertical plane regardless of the position of said support.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 19th day of December 1929.

` ROBERT T. SVENDSEN.

DAVID G. CHANDLER. 

